Edgewater, Volusia officials see trails as wave of the future

By Mark I. Johnsonmark.johnson@news-jrnl.com

Thursday

Sep 26, 2013 at 11:52 AMSep 26, 2013 at 7:41 PM

EDGEWATER — When it is complete, the East Central Regional Rail Trail stretching from Rotary Park in Edgewater to Enterprise will be longest of its kind in the state.But this 52-mile-long, 12-foot-wide ribbon of asphalt represents more than a pleasant place to ride a bicycle or watch birds on a warm summer’s evening —it could be an economic engine for the future.City officials got a glimpse of that future Wednesday afternoon when they joined with officials from Volusia County to discuss the impact such development might have on Edgewater.The City Council, along with members of the city’s Planning and Zoning Board, and Economic Development Committee gathered at City Hall to listen to Volusia County officials as they mapped out their trail development plans.“Trails are a big thing with the county,” said Tim Baylie, Volusia County director of parks, recreation and culture.The county has 22.1 miles of existing trails and another 29.2 miles of trails funded for development by 2016, Baylie said.That includes all but the 10 miles between Guise Road and Maytown Spur needed to connect Edgewater with the county’s spring to spring trail system and the much-anticipated coast to coast trail that will stretch from the St. Petersburg to Edgewater.Bicyclists — prime users of such trails — spend billions of dollars which can be pumped into the local economy.“Bicycling generates $17.7 billion in local state and federal taxes,” Baylie told the city officials. “Bicycle tourists spend $47 billion on meals, lodging and transportation.”Edgewater wants to tap this revenue stream by drawing such trail users into a future downtown to be developed along Park Avenue.Edgewater Planning Board member Pat Card said he has seen such benefits firsthand. He said the community he grew up in Ohio benefited from such a trail.“If we plan this and work with the business community along Park Avenue we can make this community very different than it is now,” Card said.One step toward that goal was accomplished Wednesday when city officials earmarked future land uses for properties adjacent to the Edgewater portion of the East Central Regional Rail Trail.City Manager Tracey Barlow said such designations give his staff a basis from which it can talk to landowners about where the city wants to go.“We are on the right path,” Mayor Mike Thomas said.

Never miss a story

Choose the plan that's right for you.
Digital access or digital and print delivery.